Booster system for ignition circuits



P 3 E. w. WESTON 2,173,869

BOOSTER SYSTEM FOR IGNITION CIRCUITS Filed March 31, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet l In Venlfor.

E aye/1c W Weston.

Sept. 26, 1939. E, w 0 2,173,869

BOOSTER SYSTEM FOR IGNITION CIRCUITS Filed March 51, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 3 Ira/en for. 15' aye/re W W25 fan.

Sept. 26, 1939. E. w WESTON 2,173,869

BOOSTER SYSTEM FOR IGNITION CIRCUITS Filed March 31, 1 957 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 I rn/en for. I age/1c WM ufon.

Sept. 26, 1939. E. w. WESTON 2,173,869

BOOSTER SYSTEM FOR IGNITION CIRCUITS Filed March 31, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 ung Patented Sept. 26, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Application March 31,

20 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in ignition circuits and more particularly to an auxiliary or booster system in connection with the ignition circuits of motor cars.

The principal objects of the invention are to relieve the standard or cam-actuated breaker points of the detrimental or destructive efiects incidental to the starting of the engine in order to preserve the standard breaker points in excellent condition for the normal operation of the engine so that the standard ignition system will function more dependably giving greater economy in the gasoline consumption, better engine performance and easier starting.

A further and important object is to permit the handling of heavier primary starting currents, thereby effectively boosting the high tension current without in any way throwing this extra starting load on the standard breaker points.

A still further and important object is to provide auxiliary breaker points which operate in timed relation to the standard breaker points, but at a rate entirely independent thereof to control an auxiliary circuit so that they will be capable of opening instantaneously at the lowest of engine speeds and thereby permitting the ham diing of starting loads which ordinarily would quickly damage or destroy standard breaker points.

The principal features of the invention reside in the novel combination of circuits and control elements in association with the standard or orthodox ignition system whereby auxiliary breaker points operating in timed sequence with the standard breaker points direct current through the primary of the ignition circuit in shunt with the standard breaker points and in the provision of means whereby said auxiliary breaker points are caused to open instantaneously or by impact at a rate which is very materially faster than the rate of opening of the standard breaker points when the engine is being turned over by the starter or running slowly so that the bye-passed primary current flow will be instantaneously broken irrespective of engine speeds.

A further and important feature resides in the novel manner of electrically or mechanically effecting he impact opening of the auxiliary breaker points either under the electrical control of the opening and closing of the standard breaker points, or by withholding the normal operation of the standard breaker points and placing the auxiliary breaker points under the direct mechanical control of an operating part of the engine.

1937, Serial No. 134,096

4 A further and important feature resides in the novel manner of temporarily increasing the primary current flow through the ignition coil without passing this increased current through the standard breaker points. i

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a diagrammatic part structural view illustrating one preferred form of my booster system in co-operative association with a standard or orthodox ignition circuit.

Figure 2 is a diagrammatic illustration of a resistance type booster utilizing the principle of the system shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 showing same in co-operation with a specially wound and tapped primary coil winding.

Figure 4 is a diagrammatic illustration of a modified form of relay switch means for cutting in dual primary coil windings in parallel into my booster system.

Figure 5 is a diagrammatic illustration showing in a simple elementary way the application of the underlying principle of the invention to a mechanical type of control.

Figure 6 is a diagrammatic part structural view '25 illustrating one manner of carrying the mechanical control principle of Figure 5 into practice, and illustrating the booster system out of operation to permit the normal functioning of the standard ignition system.

Figure 7 is a view-similar to Figure 6, but showing the booster system in operation and the standard breaker points temporarily withheld from operation.

Figure 8 is a diagrammatic illustration of a portion of the standard and booster system oi Figure 6 showing a standard ignition coil incorporated therein without the resistance of Figure 6 associated therewith.

Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 8 showing a booster battery incorporated in the booster circuit in association with the ignition coil and standard battery.

Figure 10 is a view similar to Figure 8 showing the booster or auxiliary circuit connected to the primary ignition coil winding at an intermediate point to reduce the internal resistance.

It is well known that in the operation of motor vehicles d'iflicult starting and faulty running isvery frequently traceable in origin to a defective condition of the standard breaker points, producing an incoherent or emaciated sparking at the plugs in the compression zone of the cylinders and this undesirable condition is brought about largely due to the slow opening of the standard breaker points at low engine speed either during the actual starting operation or when the engine is idling.

It has been previously proposed to increase the flow of current through the standard breaker points during the period of starting the engine andwhile in theory this would appear to alleviate the dimcuity to some extent, it has been found in practice that the difllculty is only aggravated, since the heavier current merely overloads the standard breaker points at a time when these are only opening very slowly, thereby accentuating the highly destructive burning or oxidizing action. A

I am aware of the fact that in previous proposed ignition booster systems, means has been provided for cutting in an extra or auxiliary battery in series with the standard battery and primary of the ignition coil and it has also been proposed to direct the starting current in shunted relation to a resistance normally incorporated in the primary ignition circuit, or to pass the primary current through multiple primary windings during the starting period, but in each such case of which I am aware the extra load is invariably thrown on the standard breaker points, thereby impairing their usefulness in the normal operation of the car and rendering it extremely difllcult to keep the standard breaker contacts in proper condition.

It has also been proposed to pass the primary current simultaneously through two sets of standard breaker points, which breaker points are so positioned in relation to an engine-operated cam that they are intended to both open simultaneously as a means of distributing the primary current and thereby cutting down the load carried by each set of points, but it is practically impossible to maintain an adjustment which will definitely assure that both sets of contacts will open simultaneously so that the full load is thrown on the set of points which may happen to open last. Also in certain cases separate pairs of make and break contacts respectively closing and opening simultaneously 30 apart have been proposed. I

After careful and extensive experimentation I have found that distinct advantages are achieved by temporarily controlling the primary ignition circuits with an auxiliary set of.contact points, which, while operating in the requred timed relaton to the standard breaker points, are opened at a definitely faster rate irrespective of engine speed and also irrespective of whether or not a heavier than normal primary current is passed therethrough. Actually in practice I have determined that by providing such separate auxiliary breaker contacts with their ability to open instantaneously that without even increasing the current flow through the primary of the coil, I can produce a heavy detonating spark which is not possible with the slowly opening standard points and by reason of the rapid opening of my auxiliary breaker points it becomes practical to employ an abnormally higher voltage or primary starting current, since the auxiliary points will be protected by reason of their instantaneous opening, while at the .same time the standard points will be protected against such heavy additional current and will be preserved in excellent condition for the normal operation of the engine.

Referring now to the diagrammatic illustration of my invention in the drawings, I will first refer to the "electrically" controlled system illustratedini'lguresl to wherein theopenlngand closing of the standard breaker points is utilized to electrically control the operation of the snail iary breaker points.

At the bottom of Figure 1 there is illustrated a standard or conventional wiring circuit of a motor car including the generator i, battery 2, starter 8, starter switch 4, meter I and ignition switch I, having a lead I therefrom connected with one end of the primary ignition coil winding I, the other end of which is normally connected directly to ground through the standard breaker points 8 by means of a lead wire I, while the outlet IU of the high tension side of the coil leads to the distributor cap D where it is distributed by way of the leads ii to the respective plugs.

According to the broad or generic aspect of my invention I introduce an auxiliary or branch circuit in parallel with the standard or camactuated breaker points of the engine commencing at any desirable or suitable point after the battery side terminal or input end of the ignition coil primary and in advance of the coil side contact of the car timer and having inserted in series in this branch circuit a single spark auxiliary breaker bridged by a condenser and so constructed as to introduce the minimum of inductance into the ignition circuit and the speed of action in opening of which is more or less independent of the speed of revolution of the engine crank shaft, together with means in such a combination of properly timing and controlling the operation of the said auxiliary breaker and means for making the branch circuit as a whole operative at will.

In Figure l the branch circuit i2 is shown connected at its point of commencement with the outlet or timer side end of the ignition coil primary 8 at the point it, but as indicated in dotted lines I may optionally connect with the primary winding at an intermediate point in the length thereof, as will be later referred to.

I have shown the usual lead connection 8 broken at the point if, and the terminal ends of the break may be provided with spring or other contacts I 5 and it which, when the booster system is applied to the standard ignition system, will be normally held open and this break I propose to bridge by a condenser I! which performs an important function in the operation of my auxiliary circuit, as will hereinafter appear,

and I propose to form the condenser I! as a separate unit which will be removably mounted, so that when inserted into place the contact points i! and ID will be automatically opened to render the booster system effective, but which when removed from its mounted position will allow the contacts I! and It to automatically close to permit the standard ignition circuit to function directly through the usual cam-actuated breaker contacts 8.

The branch circuit l2 leads to a stationary contact I! of a control relay or change-over switch and a pair of floating spring-mounted contacts I 8 and III are operatively coupled together to selectively contact with the contact I! and they are normally biased to remain in the position shown with contacts II and is engaged and i8 and 20 disengaged and since contact is is connected by a lead ii to contact it, it will be seen that the primary current will be shunted past the gap between II and i8 and permitted to pass in the normal way through the standard breaker contacts 8.

awaseo it is desirable that the booster system be brought into play automatically on the energizing of the starter 3 by depressing the switch 4 and to this end I preferably run a lead 22 from the starter terminal, which lead connects with a magnet winding 23 of suitable capacity, the terminal end of which is here shown grounded and when energized the magnetic force set up attracts an armature or soft iron core 24 thereby displacing the paired contacts 19 and from their normal biased positions so that contacts 18 and I9 will be disengaged and contacts 20 and i8 engaged.

A fourth spring-mounted contact 25 is engaged by the contact l9 simultaneously with the en gagement of 28 with 18 and it will be seen that in the unbiased position of the switch the primary circuit will now be connected through contacts i8 and 2|] and contact 20 is connected by lead 26 to auxiliary contact 21 of the auxiliary contact device A, either directly as indicated by the dotted lines, or a booster battery 28 may beinserted at this point and in practise I propose to provide a special mounting at this point providing for the optional insertion of the booster battery 28 and the automatic opening and closing of the dotted portion of the lead 26 on the insertion and removal of the battery.

A rocker arm 29 is pivotally mounted at 30 on a suitable base 3| and carries the other auxiliary contact 32 for co-opera'tion with'contact 21 and the arm 29 is spring-biased by a light compression or other spring 33 under adjustable tension by the means 34 to close contact 32 against 21.

A relatively heavy armature 35 is shown pivoted on the pivot 30 intermediate of its length to swing relative to the arm 29 and a relatively heavy spring 36 normally urges the armature in a clock-wise direction so that the left-hand end thereof when the armature is released is caused to strike violently with considerable impact force against a solid strike contact 31 carried by the auxiliary breaker arm 29 to instantly knock the auxiliary contact points 21 and 32 apart by impact force in opposition to the light biasing spring 33 and the opening movement of the armature is preferably limited by an adjustable stop element 38.

A current supply lead 39 is branched from the lead 22 and connects with a magnetizing coil 48 which is arranged in magnetic influential relation to the impact armature 35 so that when energized the armature is swung counter-clockwise, permitting the contacts 21 and 32 to close and the armature 35 and arm 29 are so related that after the contacts 21 and 32 have closed the armature will have freedom of movement toward the energized magnet 40 or core thereof for a certain limited distance, withdrawing the contact end of the armature clear of the strike contact 31 in opposition to an interposed leaf spring element 4| and simultaneously the heavy biasing spring 35-will be tensioned, so that the instant the flow of current through magnet winding 40 is cut off, the armature 35 will be swung violently, first with a free movement assisted by springs 36 and 4| relative to the arm 29 and with an accelerated action, finally striking violently against the strike contact 3'! and instantly driving the contacts 21 and32 apart.

The lead 39 connects at one end of coil 40 and the other end of the coil is connected by lead 42 to contact 25 of the change-over switch and it will be seenthat by engagement of contact IS with 25 a 'primary circuit will be established from lead 42 through these contacts to lead 2| and c nsequently through the standard or conven- It will thus be seen that each time the contacts S close (during the period of starting by switch 4 or when lead 22 is otherwise energized) the current will be passed through magnet winding 40, thus swinging the armature clear of strike contact 31 and permitting the auxiliary breaker points 21 and 32 to close, thereby momentarily establishing a primary circuitthrough the primary of the ignition coil via lead I2, contacts l8 and 28, lead 26 and the said auxiliary contacts to grounded arm 29, but on the instant the standard cam-actuated breaker contacts S open, the energizing or control circuit through coil 40 will be broken, thereby releasing the armature and effecting the instantaneous impact opening of the auxiliary contacts 21 and 32, thereby breaking the primary circuit through the coil, producing a high intensity spark or surge in the secondary circuit irrespective of the slow opening of the standard cam-actuated contacts S and this sequence of events will continue so long as the lead 22 is energized and, whether or not the auxiliary battery 28 is in series with the lead 26, a highly effective detonating spark will be produced due to the impact opening of contacts 21 and 32.

A suitable condenser 43 which may be optional is, in certain cases, bridged across the auxiliary ccntacts 21 and-32 to ground the residual current in the primary circuit and the special condenser l1 bridged across the break between the open contacts l5 and I6 has a beneficial action on the system and it will be seen that it is disposed in series with the usual standard breaker condenser 44, while at the same time it is in parallel relation to the auxiliary contact condenser 43 to ground so that an effective discharge of the residual current in the ignition coil is achieved and since the condenser I1 is also disposed across the contacts 18 and I9, it will serve the additional capacity of minimizing arcing at this point and preserve the contacts in trouble-free condition and it will also be beneficial in reducing arcing between contacts I8 and 20.

Referring to the form of the invention shown in Figure 2, the change-over switch is of a slightly modified form and it will be noted that the branch or booster circuit [2 leads directly from the terminal end of the primary winding 8 (or other suitable part of the winding) to the auxiliary breaker contact 21 and change-over switch contact 20 has been eliminated, while contact I9 is displaceably mounted between contacts l8 and.

25 to be selectively engaged therewith on the energizing of control coil 23, so that during the starting period when coil 23 is energized, the resistance 45, which is inserted between the contact 20 and the outlet endof the primary winding 8, will be cut out of the primary circuit, while simultaneously establishing a control circuit through coil 40, contacts I9 and 25 and standard breaker contact S, which then function to control the opening and closing of the auxiliary contacts 21 and 32.

In the diagrammatic illustration of Figure 3 the resistance 45 of Figure 2 is dispensed with and contact 20 is connected directly with the outlet end of the primary coil 8 and the auxiliary breaker contact 21 is connected directly with the primary coil winding at a point intermediate of the length thereof so that only the portion 8' will be in series with the auxiliary breaker contacts 21 and 32 and if desired this portion may be specially wound to cm extra heavy current and I have shownthe condenser i1 placed across the contact points It and I9.

In Figure 4 I have shown a slightly modified manner of carrying out the principle of the present invention, in which the normal running primary 8 'of the ignition coil has associated therewith a second auxiliary primary winding 8" which is normally inactive and has the start of its windingconnected with the start of the normal primary winding, while the outlet end of the normal primary winding is connected through the lead l2 to the stationary contact I! of the change-over switch, while the outlet end of the auxiliary primary 8" is connected to 'a separate fixed contact 20'.

The switch contacts l9 and 2|! are carried on a spring support which normally biases the switch so that contacts II and I! are engaged to complete the primary circuit through the normal primary winding 8 to the standard cam-actuated timer, while contact 20 and 20' are separated, but immediately coil 23 is energized the armature 24' is attracted to separate contact I8 and I9 and connect contact I! with 25, thereby not only establishing a control circuit through auxiliary contact control winding 40 and the standard breaker points, but also preparing a booster primary circuit in parallel through the primary coils 8 and B", the outlet ends of which, it will be noted, will be bridged by the closing of contacts 20 and 20 and a common outlet for both coils is therefore provided through connection 26 to and through the auxiliary breaker points 21 and 32 to ground.

In the form of my invention illustrated in Figures 5 to 10 I provide means whereby the standard or conventional cam-actuated breaker contacts are held out of contact or rendered inoperative during the starting period, while the auxiliary contacts are simultaneously placed under the direct mechanical control of a cam A which is preferably-mounted directly on the standard timer shaft T, to which is secured the standard or conventional breaker-operating cam In Figure 5 there is shown a simple application of the mechanical control principle and briefly referring to this, itwill be noted that the auxiliary contacts 32' and 21' are interposed between the outlet or timer side of the ignition primary and ground and are normally biased to closed position by the light spring element 33, the movable contact 32' having a projection 46 which is adapted to be engaged by a member '41 which is manually or otherwise displaceable and the member 41 has a portion 41' which is adapted to engage the movable contact arm 49 of the standard breaker S.

A pivotally mounted impact member 35 carries a contact piece 48 which may bepivotally or spring-mounted to form a safety release and this is adapted to co-operate directly with the auxiliary cam A, the cam portions of which are specially shaped to gradually swing the impact arm 35' in a clockwise direction until the end I!" is spaced from the strike contact shoulder 31' of auxiliary contact 32' with the 'auxiliary contacts closed, after which the cam contact 48 slips suddenly off the peak of the sloping cam tooth and under the stored energy of the heavy compression spring 36' the impact arm 35' will be swung violently in a counter-clockwise direction, striking suddenly against the strike contact 31' and imtsntaneousiy opening the auxiliary contacts 2l'and 32.

The member 41' is adaptedto engage the impact arm II, while 41 engages 4i and 41 will then be clearv of interference with theistandard breaker arm 49, permitting normal functioning, but when the member 41. is moved in the opposite direction the standard breaker arm will be held-inoperative. while the auxiliary parts referred to will be rendered operative.

It will also be noted that when the auxiliary parts are in their inoperative position as shown, the contact element 48 will be held clear of the auxiliary cam and theauxiliary contacts will be held open and while I have shown the auxiliary or branch circuit l2 as simply connected to the outlet end of the coil, which end is also connected to the standard breaker, it will be understood that I may readily vary this point of connection as has been previously indicated, or in any other desirable manner falling within the spirit of the invention.

In Figures 6 and 7 I have illustrated in a part diagrammatical structural way one manner in which the principle outlined in connection with Figure 5 may be carried out and in this form of the invention the mechanical control elements are shown housed within a displaceable casing C which I propose to operatively connect with the depressible starter element 4' so that when this is depressed to energize the starting motor the operative connection 50 will be moved to displace the casing C with its parts closer to the standard and auxiliary cams S and A to effect engagement of a suitable member II with the standard breaker arm 49 to swing the same to inoperative position clear of its cam and its mating contact.

Optionally, I may magnetically displace the casing C by means of a solenoid device 5|, shown in dot in Figure 7, the coil of which may be connected as by lead'52 to the starter terminal for energization in unison therewith or a simple bell crank and link connection 53-54, as shown in dotted lines Figure '7, may directly connect the rod 50 with the casing.

The auxiliary contact arm 29' is shown pivotally mounted and biased to closed position by the light spring element 33' and the impact member 36' has a floating pivot connection with a pivotally mounted bell crank 52 with which the heavy spring 36' co-operates.

The inward end of the impact member 35' extends slidably through the auxiliary contact arm 29 and is provided with a striking head 35" which when the impact member 35' is moved to its extreme right-hand position, is adapted to be i spaced from the auxiliary contact arm 28', permitting auxiliary contacts 21 and 32 to close and light spring pressure is also placed on the light spring 34 The member 35 is here shown provided with a spring contact 48' which is adapted to ride on the cam surface of the auxiliary cam A and to move the impact member 35' to the right as it rides to the highest. point of the cam teeth and to then suddenly slip off the terminal end of the cam face clear of restricting contact with thecam, so that the stored energy in the heavier spring 36 will move the impact member 35' to the left under the assistinginfluence of the spring 34' which also assists in. holding the auxiliary contacts closed and when the strike head 35" contacts the auxiliary contact arm 20', the auxiliary contact points will be instantly opened by impact so that the auxiliary circuit which had been closed therethrough directly from the terminal end of the primary coil (Figures 6 and 7) will be instantly broken.

In Figures 6 and 7 the resistance 45' is shown normally interposed between the terminal end of the ignition primary and the standard breaker contacts S, so that in Figure 6 with the parts in their normal running position, the resistance is included in the primary circuit, while in Figure 7 the control of the primary circuit is shown completely taken care of by the auxiliary apparatus with the resistance and standard breaker points shunted out.

A stationary contact 53 isadjustably mounted on a suitable fixed support 54 and with the parts in the position shown in Figure 6 is adapted to contact the auxiliary breaker arm 29' to hold the auxiliary contacts open, but in the position shown in Figure '7, is adapted to clear the auxiliary contact arm 29' to permit operation thereof.

Figures 8, 9 and 10 show portions of the circuits of Figure 6 illustrating changes that may be made within the spirit of theinvention and in Figure 8 I have shown my mechanical booster system and apparatus associated with a standard ignition coil, while in Figure 10 I have illustrated associated therewith an. ignition coil having a specially wound or tapped primary winding which may be in the nature of the arrangement shown in Figure 3.

In Figure 9 I have shown a booster battery 28 connected in series with the standard car battery and with the primary of the ignition-coil.

I may thus make many variations in carrying the present invention into practise and while I have shown and described certain specific arrangements for the purpose of illustration, I do not however intend to limit myselfto the specific arrangements shown, since the broad principle outlined herein is capable of varied structural interpretations and wide adaptation, and in either formof my invention illustrated it will be noted that the auxiliary breaker contacts not only open at a rate independent of the engine speed, but open only when the standard or conventional cam-actuated breaker points are prevented from completing the normal primary circuit.

It will be further noted that the opening of the auxiliary contacts is effected instantaneously in definite timed relation to the standard breaker points and with a single impact opening for each iginition phase as distinguished from the ordinary "vibratory type of make and break contacts as used on so-called spark coils" and, where standare part of the standard or conventional equipment of a motor car or combustion engine.

The entire booster system of the "electrical" species including. condenser I! may be incorporated into a single compact unit having suitable detachable plug-in connections across the break contacts l5-I6, which contacts may be in the nature of a jack and the system may be either installed as optional or standard equipment on motor cars, motor boats or internal combustion engines of various kinds using engine-operated make and break contacts in series with an ignition coil primary and a battery or other source of direct current supply, or the unit may be manufactured and sold as an accessory reduiring only to be plugged into the standard prirt mary cuit uhstantiaiiy in the i n er geil liid with or without a booster battery incorporated therewith.

Experimentation has shown that the condenser 43 performs an important function in conjunction with the tapped or multiple primary coil and that it preferably has a capacity several times that of the standard breaker condenser 44 and may be either connected in parallel therewith (as indicated in dotted lines Figure 5 or may be dispensed with entirely where no special change in the primary coil circuit or current passed therethrough is involved) and I propose to automatically render the condenser 43 effective or ineflective respectively when the booster system is in or out of operation, such as by making or breaking its connection to ground as at)! so as not to interfere with the normal functioning of the standard ignition system.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. In an ignition system for internal combustion engines having standard engine-actuated breaker contacts for normally opening and closing a circuit from a direct current source through the ignition coil primary, means for directing primary coil current through said primary in shunt past said standard breaker contacts including auxiliary breaker contacts disposed in parallel with said standard breaker contacts and operating with a single opening movement as distinguished from a vibratory movement in timed relation to said standard breaker contacts but at a rate independent of the rate of operation of the engine.

2. In an ignition system for internal combustion engines having standard engine-actuated breaker contacts for normally opening and closing a circuit from a direct current source through the ignition coil primary, means for directing a heavier than normal current through the ignition coil primary in shunt with said standard breaker contacts to protect the latter from overload and facilitate starting, said means including auxiliary breaker contacts disposed in parallel with said standard breaker contacts and operable in timed relation to the standard breaker points with a single opening movement for each opening movement of said standard contacts but at a rate faster than the normal opening rate thereof at low engine speeds.

3. Means as claimed in claim 1 in which said means includes means for knocking said auxiliary breaker contacts apart by impact in timed relation to said standard breaker contacts and at a rate independent of the rate of opening thereof.

4. In an ignition system for internal combustion engines having standard engine-actuated breaker contacts for normally opening and closing a circuit from a direct current source through the ignition coil primary, means for directing primary coil current in shunt past said standard breaker contacts including auxiliary breaker contacts disposed in parallel with said standard breaker contacts, a displaceable impact member co-operatively associated with said auxiliary breaker contacts to open same instantaneously by inertia impact independent of engine speed, and means ac-.

tuated in timed relation to the engine for controlling the displacement of said impact member.

5. In an ignition system for internal combustion engines having standard engine-actuated breaker contacts for normally opening and closing a circuit from a direct current source through the ignition coil primary, means for directing primary 911 current in shunt past 'said standard breaker contacts including auxiliary breaker contacts disposed in parallel with said standard breaker contacts, a displaceable impact member co-operatively associated with said auxiliary breaker contacts to open same instantaneously by inertia impact independent of engine speed, and means controlled by said standard breaker points for controlling the operation of said impact member to open said auxiliary contacts once only during each opening of the standard breaker contacts.

6. In an ignition system for internal combustion engines having standard engine-actuated breaker contacts for normally opening and closing a circuit from a direct current source through the ignition coil primary, means for directing primary coil current in shunt past said standard breaker contacts including auxiliary breaker contacts disposed inparallel with said standard breaker contacts, a displaceable impact member co-operatively associated with said auxiliary breaker contacts to open same instantaneously by inertia impact independent of engine speed, means for electrically controlling the operation of said impact member to open the auxiliary breaker contacts once only during each opening of the standard breaker contacts including a control circuit, and means for inserting said standard breaker contacts in series with said control circuit to thereby utilize their operation to control said circuit and the operation of said impact member.

7. Means as claimed in claim 6 in which said control circuit includes an electro magnet in series with said standard breaker contacts and adapted when energized by closing of said standard breaker contacts to space said impact member from the auxiliary contact in opposition to spring-loading means to permit the auxiliary contacts to close and adapted when de-energized by opening of said standard breaker contacts to' release said spring-loaded impact member and effect a single impact opening of the auxiliary contacts.

8. In an ignition system for internal combustion engines having standard engine-actuated breaker contacts for normally opening and 0105- ing a circuit from a direct current source through the ignition coil primary, means for directing primary coil current in shunt past said standard breaker contacts including auxiliary breaker contacts, a displaceable impact member co-operatively associated with said auxiliary breaker contacts to open same instantaneously by inertia impact independent of engine speed, means insertable in the primary ignition circuit for breaking the same between the primary coil winding and standard breaker contacts, a change-over relay switch having contacts connected respectively with opposite sides of the break in said primary circuit and adapted to engage to permit normal functioning of the primary circuit, an electro-magnet for controlling said impact member, said relay switch having contacts connected one to one of said auxiliary'contacts and the other to one end of the electromagnet winding and adapted to be connected respectively with the first-mentioned relay contacts on the energizing of same, and means for simultaneously energizing said relay and directing current to the other end of said electromagnet winding.

9. Means as claimed in claim 8 in which the means insertable in the primary ignition circuit to break same includes a condenser.

10. Means as claimed in claim 8 in which the means insertable in the primary ignition circuit to break same includes a condenser, and contacts are provided which are adapted to directly bridge said gap on the removal of said condenser.

11. In an ignition system for internal combustion engines having standard engine-actuated breaker contacts for normally opening and. closing a circuit from a direct current source through the ignition coil primary, means for directing a heavier than normal current through the ignition coil primary in shunt with-said standard breaker contacts to protect the latter from overload and facilitate starting, said means including auxiliary breaker contacts operable in timed relation to the standard breaker points but at a rate faster than the normal opening rate thereof at low engine speeds, said means also including an auxiliary or booster battery connected in series with the direct current source and with the primary of the ignition coil and in shunt relation to the standard breaker contacts to thereby relieve same of the starting load.

12. Means as claimed in claim 1 in which the ignition coil is provided with multiple primary windings having a part thereof normally connected in series with the standard. breaker contacts, and means for breaking the series connection of said first-mentioned part with the said standard breaker contacts and connecting said primary windings in multiple in series with said auxiliary breaker contacts, said means including a condenser of greater capacity than the standard breaker condenser.

13. In an ignition system for internal combustion engines having standard engine-actuated breaker contacts for normally opening and closing a circuit from a direct current source through the ignition coil primary, means for directing primary coil current in shunt past said standard breaker contacts including auxiliary breaker con tacts, a displaceable impact member co-operatively associated with said auxiliary breaker contacts to open same instantaneously by inertia impact independent of engine speed, and enginedriven means for repeatedly withdrawing and suddenly releasing said impact member into impact opening relation to a movable one of said auxiliary contacts.

14. Means as claimed in claim 13 in which said impact member is spring-loaded to move freely in one direction into sudden impact contact with the movable auxiliary contact and an enginedriven cam co-operates therewith to move the impact member in the reverse direction to load the spring means and permit the auxiliary contacts to close, said cam having its c'am surface formed to suddenly release said spring-loaded im-- pact member.

15. In an ignition system for internal combustion engines having standard engine-actuated associated with said,auxiliary breaker contacts to open same instantaneously by inertia impact independent of engine speed, said impact member being. spring-loaded to move freely in one direction into sudden impact contact with the movable auxiliary contact, an engine-driven cam co-operating with said impact member to move the impact member in the reverse direction to load the spring means and permit the auxiliary contacts to close, said cam having its cam surface formed to suddenly release said spring-loaded impact member, and means operable to withhold the operation of said standard breaker contacts and render said auxiliary control means effective.

16. In an ignition system for internal combustion engines having standard engine-actuated breaker contacts for normally opening and closing a circuit from a direct current source through the ignition coil primary, means for directing primary coil current in shunt past said standard breaker contacts including auxiliary breaker contacts, a displaceable impact member co-operatively associated with said auxiliary breaker contacts to open same instantaneously by inertia impact independent of engine speed, said impact member being spring-loaded to move freely in one direction into sudden impact contact with the movable auxiliary contact, and an engine-driven cam co-operating with said impact member to move the impact member in the reverse direction to load the spring means and permit the auxiliary contacts to close, said cam having its cam surface formed to suddenly release said springloaded impact member, said auxiliary breaker contacts and the impact opening means therefor being mounted as a unit displaceable into and out of co-operative relation to the engine-driven cam, said unit having a contact portion for engaging and holding the movable standard breaker point open while the said unit is in operative position.

17. Means as claimed in claim 16, including a starting switch having a depressible portion, and meansforming an operative connection between said depressible portion and said displaceable unit to automatically displace the same into operative position on the depressing of said starter switch.

18. Means as claimed in claim 16, including a starting motor for said engine, a starting switch interposed in series with said source of current and said motor and depressible to energize the latter, and means for automatically displacing said unit into operative position on the energizing of said motor.

19. Means as claimed in claim 16 in which means is provided for automatically opening said auxiliary contacts when said unit is moved to its inoperative position to permit normal functioning of the standard breaker contacts.

20. Means as claimed in claim 2 in which a resistance is inserted in series with the primary winding of the ignition coil and the standard breaker contacts and the auxiliary breaker contacts are connected in shunt relation to said resistance whereby the increased current flow on the cutting out of said resistance is directed clear of the standard breaker contacts.

EUGENE W. WESTON. 

